Leaving Cert? No thanks. Meet the students opting out of the points race via IrishTimesLife
In general, applicants should have completed the Leaving Certificate to be eligible for a PLC course. However, students can also apply for courses if they have not completed the exam, have work experience relevant to the course or can demonstrate an ability in that area.
Liadhain Quaid is a first-year nursing student at UCD and secured her place by taking a Post-Leaving Cert course rather the traditional CAO points race. Photograph: Finbarr O’Rourke So, why is there such stigma? Everything from the lack of an industrial revolution in Ireland to the media and guidance counselling have been invoked as factors.
“At school and societal level, there is an over-emphasis on the Leaving Certificate. Our country is obsessed with CAO points. This has meant our young people are forced to focus about the points they need, rather than the career they desire. We have allowed a culture to develop where all too often university is perceived to be the only gateway to personal and career success.”
While numbers bounced back somewhat last year, it is reminder of the challenge of changing attitudes towards further education and training. Ethan McDonald is one of the first students in Ireland to join a new apprenticeship in wind turbine maintenance. The “earn and learn” approach combines classes at Kerry College and on-the-job training over three years. The advance certificate at the end of it, he says, will allow him to work internationally.
They argue that Ireland urgently needs a much more balanced tertiary system to provide for the wide range of skills that our society and economy needs. There are, for example, urgent skills gaps in construction and areas like retrofitting, which cannot be filled by higher education. Another says vocational routes will continue to be seen by many parents and students as second-best until employers like Google start hiring from the sector.
He says there is increasing evidence to show further education works, as a destination or a route into higher education. With the rise of artificial intelligence, robotics and automation, experts agree that lifelong learning is a reality for everyone.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Leaving Cert exams: the dos and don’ts of the final countdownWhen you sit down to read your paper on the day of the exam and select those questions you will attempt, four or five key words as rough work at the back of the answer book are all you will need to structure your answer to any question comprehensively
Read more »
Dyslexic students need extra time in Leaving Cert – Fine Gael“We’re trying to progress past an education system in many ways that leaves one hand tied behind your back.' Dyslexic students need extra time in Leaving Cert – Fine Gael
Read more »
Varadkar urged to intervene amid protests over nursing home in Cork leaving Fair DealRelatives of Fair Deal residents in Beaumont say they simply want parity of support for their loved ones with residents of HSE run homes
Read more »
Thousands of renters in Ireland missing out on €1,000 windfallThe Government announced as part of last September’s Budget that renters would be able to claim a rent tax credit worth up to €500 for each year between 2022 and 2025.
Read more »
‘Growing crisis’: Thousands more 12 to 15 years olds being prescribed antidepressantsA total of 15,113 prescriptions for anti-depressants were issued for children aged 0 to 15 in 2022
Read more »
Amazon Web Services’ Ireland boss Mike Beary stepping downThe country manager announced on LinkedIn that he was leaving the company after 11 years
Read more »